A Symphony of Art and Innovation: The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA
What if your car could change colors to match your mood or the weather? BMW is making this a reality with the i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, a unique concept car that merges cutting-edge color-changing technology with the vibrant artistry of South African Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu.
This innovative vehicle showcases the latest evolution of BMW’s color-change technology, utilizing E Ink film segments to create dynamic and unprecedented customization options. It is a testament to the brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive design.
A Homage to Art and Culture
The i5 Flow NOSTOKANA is more than just a technological marvel; it’s a tribute to BMW’s rich history of artistic collaborations. This one-off design piece, unveiled at the Frieze Los Angeles art fair, pays homage to Esther Mahlangu, who designed the 12th BMW Art Car in 1991, becoming the first woman and first African artist to do so.
“Her art inspired me years ago, when dynamic color changes on the body of a BMW were nothing more than an initial idea,” says Stella Clarke, Research Engineer in Open Innovations at the BMW Group. An interior shot of Mahlangu’s Art Car was even the final image in her pitch deck when the idea was first presented. “Realizing this idea now, working with her, and seeing a thought in her head become a reality is absolutely incredible,” says Clarke.
Mahlangu’s signature Ndebele paintings, known for their geometric patterns and vibrant colors, provided the perfect inspiration for the i5 Flow NOSTOKANA’s innovative flow technology.
The name NOSTOKANA, which is Esther Mahlangu’s first son’s name, was added to signify her indigenous name in Ndebele culture, where mothers take their firstborn son’s name.
Color Change at Your Command
The core technology behind the color-changing capability is electrophoresis, a process similar to that used in e-readers. The BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink, which debuted in 2022, demonstrated the technology’s potential, with the ability to switch its entire exterior color from black to white. The car’s surface is coated with millions of microcapsules, each containing black and white pigments. An electrical impulse causes these pigments to shift, allowing the car to display the desired color.
Beyond aesthetics, the technology also enhances functionality. For example, a lighter exterior color reflects more sunlight, reducing heat absorption and minimizing strain on the vehicle’s climate control system in hot weather. Conversely, a darker color helps absorb more heat in colder conditions.
A Canvas of 1,349 Film Segments
The i5 Flow NOSTOKANA takes this technology a step further. Featuring 1,349 individually controllable E Ink film segments that extend across the car’s sides, roof, hood, trunk, and rims, the vehicle showcases the intricate patterns and colors characteristic of Mahlangu’s art. Each segment can be precisely controlled, resulting in ever-changing compositions that bring her artistic vision to life.
For Clarke, the combination of art and technology is a natural fit: “Technology is key. You can develop something magical with it. For me, magic always goes hand in hand with a touch of disbelief or astonishment. You question how the trick works.”
The i5 Flow NOSTOKANA remains a one-off concept, but its development points the way toward a future where car owners could change their vehicle’s color as easily as they change their clothes. The more robust film segments become with each further iteration of development, the more they facilitate potential series production.
